Facsimile-printing attachment



1,625,908 Aprll 26,1927. 1 a H. PLUM, 2D

FACSIMILE PRINTING ATTACHMENT Filed Jan. 8, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 $.H. PLUM. 2D

FACSIIILE HUNTING ATTACHMENT April. 26, 1927. 08

Filed Jan, 8. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN HAINES PLUM, 2B, OF MADISON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TYPE FOUNDERS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FACSIMILE-IPRINTING ATTACHMENT.

Application filed January 8, 1926. Serial N 0.7%),921.

This invention relates to an attachment adapted to be used in connection with a printing-press for printing facsimile letters and other matter.

The object of the invention is to provide a facsimile printing attachment in the form of a separate complete unit or device which may be readily attached to a printing press of the Gordon type without requiring any change in the press itself.

It is a further object of the invention to embody in the attachment certain novel features of construction having in view the production of a relatively inexpensive device adapted to be manufactured and shipped complete, and readily attached and operated by the printer without requiring special skill or tools. a

Facsimile letters are produced on a Gordon type press by interposing a sheet of suit- .able fabric between the form and the platen. In some instances it is done by aflixing a sheet of fabric to the usual platen grippers. The fabric, however, soon wears out due to the tearing of the fibres or threads caused by the continued impact of the type on the same spots in the fabric.

This invention includes in its features the interposition of a fabric which is automatically shifted so that the type will never strike twice in the same place on the fabric. Another feature of the invention is embodied in a suitable support which may be used in place of the usual gripper bar.

Accordingly my invention is embodied in an attachment arranged and constructed as hereinafter set forth and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 illustrates in outline a portion of a Gordon press equipped with theattachment.

Figure 2 is a side view of a portion of the platen and the attachment, showing the platen in sheet receiving position.

' Figure 3 is a sectional view of parts of the attachment looking from the right in Figure 2.

t Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but shows the platen in impression position.

Figure 5 is a detail view of parts of the attachment looking from the left in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the the framework 1 and the platen 2 which rocks on its pivots at 3. The platen is provided with two lugs l and 5 in which the usual gripper bar (not shown) is pivoted. The cam 6 is pivoted to the platen at 7 and guides the gripper bar cam roll so as to maintain the usual platen grippers (not shown) in their proper position with relation to the platen. The foregoing elements are all parts of the usual Gordon type press and require no further description.

Referring now to Figure 6, the numeral 10, denotes a base bar which is pivoted adj acent the edge of the platen in the aforesaid lugs 4 and 5. The bar 10 thus occupies a position on the press similar to the one of the usual gripper bar. The bar 10 has two studs 11 and 12 which fit into the bearings 4E .and 5. The upper portion of the base bar is provided with one or more slots 13 for adj ustably attaching the frame pieces 14 and 15 by means of bolts 16. The frame pieces have tongues 17 which fit into a groove 18 in the bar 10, and the groove is likewise adapted to receive the usual end tongues of the gripper. In other words, so far as described, the base bar 10 is identical with the usual gripper bar. However, for purposes of the present invention, the base bar carries two depending arms 19, 19 and to one ofthese there is secured an arm 20 which carries a cam "roll 21 which runs on the cam 6. The positions and functions of the arm 20 and roll 21 are similar to the position and functionof the well known like parts on the Gordon press.

The frame pieces 14 and 15 extend beyond the platen as seen in Figure 1 and at their upper free ends they are provided with suitable fittings 22, 22 adapted to receive a shade roller 23 between them. The shade roll-er carries a curtain spool 24 upon which is wound a curtain of suitable fabric 25, the

lowerend of which is detachably secured to a winding up roller 26 by suitable means as 27 in the same manner in which a music roll may be mounted in a. player piano. The curtain 25 is of suitable width with respect to the platen. The base bar 10 may be provided with suitable marks 28, 28 to enable the operator to positionrthe. frame pieces properly.

The winding up roller 26. is adjust-ably mounted on a shaft 30 by means of collars 31. One of the arms 19 is provided with a slightly. serrated bearing surface 32 and the shaft 30 carries: a pin 33; The shaft is drawn to the. left in Figure 6 with the pin 33in contact with the serrated surface 32. It follows, that when the shaftis rotated, it wilh at the same time have a slight axial reciprocating movement. If desired another collar 35 may be provided to insure the position of the shaft between the arms 19, 1 9..

The. shaft 30 carries a pulley 36 and a spring 37 is interposed between the pulley and the arm 19 to. draw the pin 33 against the serrations 32 as aforesaid.

Referring now more particularly to Fignres 2 to 5, it will be seen that the base bar stud 1 1 projects outward from the platen lug at and carries, freely mounted thereon, a ratchet and pulley unit comprising a ratchet 40': anda pulley 41. Fixed. to the stud 11 by a key "12' or other means is a pawl arm whichfcarries a pawl let. A spring 45 keeps the pawl in engagement with the ratchet; The stud 11 further'carries a cam 46- secured bya screw 17.

Tosthe'side of. the lug at there is pivoted another pawli 48;havin g a pin 19 and which is kept in engagement with the ratchet 40 by a spring 50; At'belt 51 passes over the pulleys 4:1 and 36. The pawl pin hQGXtGHdS out ard into the path of the cam 40.

The operation is as follows: The normal position of the parts are as in Figure 2 with bOthpawls. in engagement with the ratchet. As the platen now moves down into printingposition, Figure 4G,.the pawl 48 will rotate the ratchet and pulley unit 40'1".h1 a short predetermined distance. The length of the rotary movement is. regulated by the position of the cam 4:6, in that, as, the pawl 48.rotates; with the platen. h1g4, thev pin l9 on said pawl will encounterthe earn; and the pawl therefore be lifted out of engagement with theratchet.

The rotary movement of the ratchet and pulley until 40-41 is transmitted to the shaft 30 through the belt 51 and pulley 36, a

and as a result therefron'i the winding up spool 26 is rotated a short distance thereby shifting the fabric 25 so that the impact surface of the fabric between the type and the .Figure 2, the ratchet and pulley unit 40-4114. remain stationary due to the pawl 44, and the pawl 48 slides off the cam 46 and again engages the 'atchet ready for the next operation. lVhen the sheet has been entirely unwound from the shade roller, it may be removed and wound up again for further useas is obvious.

From the foregoing it is clear that this invention provides an attachment by means of which a sheet of fabric is positioned on the press for facsimile printing purposes in which the fabric is automatically shifted for every impression.

When the attachment is not used, it may be easily disassembled by removing the belt 51 and pin to slide the shaft 30 through 9 its hearings in the arms 19. Also by removing the frames let and 15 with the shade roller.

Thereafter .the regular platen grippers may be mounted in the usual manner on the base bar 10. By loosening the screw 4:7, the cam 46. may be adjusted to regulate the operating stroke of the pawl 48.

The foregoing believed to disclose this invention in its complete preferred form. Nevertheless, it will be understood that the invention is. not limited to the precise detailed construction presented, but that changes or alterations may be made without departing from the principle of the invention and the scope of the appended; claims.

1. The combination with a platen press having lugs adapted to receive a gri 'uier bar, of an attachmentof the. character described comprising a base bar mounted to oscillate. in. said gripper bar; lugs, frame members adj .rtably mountedin said; base bar, and projecting upwardly therefrom. an upper roller mounted in the extreme free upper; ends of said. upright frame members, a lower roller mounted on said base bar, a sheet of fabric wound upon said roller and means carried by said base bar and one of the said gripper bar lugs for operating the said; sheet of fabric across the platen of the press;

2. The combination with a platen press having lugs mounted thereon at each of the lower corners of the platen, of an attach- IUD ment therefore comprising a base bar pivoted in said lugs adjacent the lower edge of the platen upright supporting members mounted on said base bar, fabric carrying rollers on said supporting members and base bar, a sheet of fabric Wound on said rollers, means on one of the said base bar pivots and lugs for operating said sheet of fabric from one roller to the other roller and means on said base bar adapted to cooperate with an element on the said platen press for maintaining said base bar in predetermined operative relationship With the said platen.

S. HAINES PLUM 21). 

